Agricultural adjuvant compositions, pesticide compositions, and methods for using such compositions

ABSTRACT

Pesticide compositions containing an adjuvant which contains, based on 100 parts by weight of the adjuvant, (a) greater than about 50 parts by weight of at least one alkyl fatty acid ester, (b) from about 2 parts by weight to less than about 5 parts by weight of a surfactant comprising: (b)(i) one or more anionic surfactants selected from sulfonic acids, sulfonic acid esters, alkylsulfosuccinic acid esters, phosphate esters, sulfate esters, and oleoyltaurate salts, or (b)(ii) one or more non-ionic surfactants selected from sorbitan fatty acid esters, aryl alkoxylates, alkoxylated fatty alcohols, alkoxylated fatty acids, alkoxylated triglycerides, alkoxy copolymers, alkylpolyglucosides, alkoxylated fatty amines, and ether amines, or (iii) a mixture (b)(i) and (b)(ii), exhibit improved performance, particularly when sprayed through a flat fan spray nozzle, an air induction spray nozzle, or other spray nozzle and at a pressure of from about 10 pounds per square inch to about 100 pounds per square inch.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to agricultural adjuvant compositions, pesticide compositions, and methods for using such compositions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pesticide compositions, for example, herbicide compositions containing N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine (“glyphosate”), are typically applied to target plants by spraying. A portion of the spray droplets are typically very small, for example, less than about 200 microns, which are subject to off-target movement, termed “drift”. Drift is undesirable because it reduces the amount of active herbicide applied to the target plant and risks unintended application of the active herbicide to non-target plants.

Common approaches to reducing drift are to add a thickening agent, for example, polysaccharides, polyacrylamides, to the herbicide composition, and/or to control process variables, such as by reducing spray pressure, or to using a spray nozzle, for example, an air induction spray nozzle, that is designed to reduce drift (note, however, that thickeners are typically not used in combination with air induction nozzles).

In addition, a wide variety of adjuvants, including adjuvant compositions that containing alkylated seed oils and emulsifiers, are generally known for use in modifying the properties, such as efficacy against target pests, of agricultural pesticide formulations, including glyphosate herbicide compositions, see, e.g., Miller, D. K., et. al., “Johnsongrass (Sorgum halepense) Control and Rainfastness with Glyphosate and Adjuvants”, Weed Technology, 1998, Vol. 12:617-622, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,432,884 B1. In this example the adjuvant mainly consists of a silicone surfactant as well as alkylated seed oil and nonionic surfactants. Silicone based surfactants are known to be unstable in acidic and basic conditions. Generally the optimum pH for these surfactants is in the range of 6 to 8 (Murphy et al., Proc Brighton Crop Prot Conf—Weeds 1991). Among other disadvantages of silicone surfactants are the incompatibility with non-silicone adjuvants, reduced activity of herbicides due to spray run-offs or quick evaporation. On the other hand, some authoritative sources have discouraged use of oil adjuvants with glyphosates, e.g., North Dakota State University's 2004 North Dakota Weed control Guide states, at pg 71, that “glyphosate should never be used with oil adjuvants because glyphosate is very water soluble (water+oil do not mix)”.

There remains a continuing interest in efficient spray application of pesticide compositions, particularly glyphosate compositions, to target plants with minimal drift, while maintaining high efficacy against such target plants.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the present invention is directed to an adjuvant composition comprising, based on 100 parts by weight (“pbw”) of the adjuvant composition:

-   -   (a) greater than about 50 pbw of at least one alkyl fatty acid         ester,     -   (b) from about 2 pbw to less than about 5 pbw of a surfactant         comprising:         -   (i) one or more anionic surfactants selected from sulfonic             acids, sulfonic acid esters, alkylsulfosuccinic acid esters,             phosphate esters, sulfate esters, and oleoyltaurate salts,             or         -   (ii) one or more non-ionic surfactants selected from             sorbitan fatty acid esters, aryl alkoxylates, alkoxylated             fatty alcohols, alkoxylated fatty acids, alkoxylated             triglycerides, alkoxy copolymers, alkylpolyglucosides,             alkoxylated fatty amines, and ether amines, or         -   (iii) a mixture (b)(i) and (b)(ii).

In a second aspect, the present invention is directed to a pesticide composition, comprising, based on 100 pbw of the pesticide composition:

-   -   (a) from about 0.02 pbw to about 7 pbw of at least one alkyl         fatty acid ester,     -   (b) from about 0.001 pbw to about 0.35 pbw of a surfactant         comprising:         -   (i) one or more anionic surfactants selected from sulfonic             acids, sulfonic acid esters, alkylsulfosuccinic acid esters,             phosphate esters, sulfate esters, and oleoyltaurate salts,             or         -   (ii) one or more non-ionic surfactants selected from             sorbitan fatty acid esters, aryl alkoxylates, alkoxylated             fatty alcohols, alkoxylated fatty acids, alkoxylated             triglycerides, alkoxy copolymers, alkylpolyglucosides,             alkoxylated fatty amines, and ether amines, or         -   (iii) a mixture (b)(i) and (b)(ii), and     -   (c) an effective amount of a pesticide.

In a third aspect, the present invention is directed to a method for treating a target plant, comprising spraying onto foliage of the target plant, through a flat fan spray nozzle, an air induction spray nozzle, or other spray nozzle and at a pressure of from about 10 pounds per square inch (“psi”) to about 100 psi, a pesticide composition comprising, based on 100 pbw of the pesticide composition:

-   -   (a) from about 0.025 pbw to about 7 pbw of at least one alkyl         fatty acid ester,     -   (b) from about 0.001 pbw to about 0.35 pbw of a surfactant         comprising:         -   (i) one or more anionic surfactants selected from sulfonic             acids, sulfonic acid esters, alkylsulfosuccinic acid esters,             phosphate esters, sulfate esters, and oleoyltaurate salts,             or         -   (ii) one or more non-ionic surfactants selected from             sorbitan fatty acid esters, aryl alkoxylates, alkoxylated             fatty alcohols, alkoxylated fatty acids, alkoxylated             triglycerides, alkoxy copolymers, alkylpolyglucosides,             alkoxylated fatty amines, and ether amines or         -   (iii) a mixture (b)(i) and (b)(ii), and     -   (c) an effective amount of a pesticide.

The compositions and method of the present invention enable spray application of pesticide to target plants at high spray pressures by enhancing canopy penetration and hence improving deposition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As used herein, the term “alkyl” means a saturated straight chain, branched chain, or cyclic hydrocarbon radical, such as for example, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, t-butyl, pentyl, n-hexyl, cyclohexyl.

As used herein, the term “alkoxy” means a saturated straight chain or branched chain ether radical, such as for example, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, butoxy, the term “alkoxylated” or “alkoxylate” in reference to an organic moiety means that the moiety is substituted with one or more alkoxy groups, typically with a polyether group, such as, for example a poly(ethoxy), poly(propoxy) or poly(ethoxypropoxy) group, the term “ethoxylated” in reference to art organic moiety means that the moiety is substituted with a at least one ethoxy or poly(ethoxy) group. As used herein, the notation “(n)”, wherein n is an integer, in reference to the polyalkoxy group of an alkoxylated moiety indicates the number of alkoxy units in the polyalkoxy group. For example such as “ethoxylated (5) sorbitan laurate” means a sorbitan laurate alkoxylated with 5 moles of ethoxy units per mole of sorbitan laurate.

As used herein, the term “alkenyl” means an unsaturated straight chain, branched chain, or cyclic hydrocarbon radical that contains one or more carbon-carbon double bonds, such as, for example, ethenyl, 1-propenyl, 2-propenyl.

As used herein, the term “aryl” means an unsaturated hydrocarbon ring system containing one or more six-membered carbon rings in which the unsaturation may be represented by three conjugated double bonds, which may be substituted one or more of the ring carbons with hydrocarbon, typically alkyl or alkenyl, halo, or organohalo groups, such as, for example, phenyl, methylphenyl, trimethylphenyl, chlorophenyl, trichloromethylphenyl.

As used herein, the term “aralkyl” means an alkyl group substituted with one or more aryl groups, such as, for example, phenylmethyl, phenylethyl, triphenylmethyl.

As used herein, the term “aralkenyl” means an alkenyl group substituted with an aryl group, such as, for example, phenylethenyl, and phenyl propenyl.

As used herein, the terminology “(C_(n)-C_(m))” in reference to an organic group, wherein n and m are each integers, indicates that the group may contain from n carbon atoms to m carbon atoms per group.

As used herein, the terminology “fatty acids” refers to saturated or unsaturated fatty acids, typically (C₆-C₂₂) fatty acids, such as, for example, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, behenic acid, erucic acid, as well as mixtures thereof, including vegetable oils, such as, for example, rapeseed oil or canola oil, that comprise a mixture of saturated or unsaturated (C₆-C₂₂) fatty acids.

As used herein, the terminology “fatty alcohols” refers to saturated or unsaturated fatty alcohols, typically (C₆-C₂₂) fatty alcohols, such as, for example, lauryl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol, linoleyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, erucyl alcohol, as well as mixtures thereof.

In one embodiment, the adjuvant composition of the present invention comprises, based on 100 pbw weight of such composition, from about 50 to about 98 pbw, more typically from about 80 to about 97 pbw, of the at least one alkyl fatty acid ester.

In one embodiment, the pesticide composition of the present invention comprises, based on 100 pbw weight of such composition, from about 0.025 to about 7 pbw, more typically from about 0.05 to about 2 pbw, of the at least one alkyl fatty acid ester.

In one embodiment, the alkyl fatty acid ester comprises at least one (C₁-C₆)alkyl ester of a saturated or unsaturated (C₆-C₂₂) fatty acid, such as, for example, methyl laurate, methyl stearate, ethyl stearate, methyl oleate, ethyl oleate, butyl oleate.

In one embodiment, the adjuvant composition of the present invention comprises, based on 100 pbw weight of such composition, from about 1 to about 5, more typically from about 2 to about 4.5 pbw, and even more typically from about 2 to about 4 pbw, surfactant.

In one embodiment, the pesticide composition of the present invention comprises, based on 100 pbw weight of such composition, from about 0.001 to about 7 pbw, from about 0.025 to about 7 pbw, and even more typically from about 0.05 to about 2 pbw, surfactant.

In one embodiment, the surfactant component of adjuvant composition of the present invention comprises, based on 100 pbw weight of such composition, from about 0.1 to about 2 pbw, more typically from about 0.25 to about 1.5 pbw, and even more typically from about 0.5 to about 1.5 pbw, of the anionic surfactant, and from about 0.2 to about 4 pbw, more typically from about 0.4 to about 4 pbw, and even more typically from about 1 to about 3 pbw, of the nonionic surfactant.

In one embodiment, the surfactant component of the pesticide composition of the present invention comprises, based on 100 pbw weight of such composition, from about 0.0001 to about 1 pbw, more typically from about 0.0002 to about 0.5 pbw, of the anionic surfactant, and from about 0.0005 to about 1.5 pbw, more typically from about 0.0001 to about 1 pbw, of the nonionic surfactant.

In one embodiment, the surfactant component of the pesticide composition of the present invention comprises, based on 100 pbw weight of such composition, from about 0.01 to about 3 pbw, more typically from about 0.05 to about 1.5 pbw, of the anionic surfactant, and from about 0.01 to about 4.5 pbw, more typically from about 0.05 to about 1 pbw, of the nonionic surfactant.

Suitable sulfonic acids and sulfonic acid esters include alkyl sulfonic acids, alkylsulfonates, arylsulfonic acids, and arylsulfonates, more typically (C₈-C₃₀)alkylsulfonic acids, (C₈-C₃₀)alkylsulfonates, (C₈-C₃₀)arylsulfonic acids, and (C₈-C₃₀)aryl sultanates, which may each be partially or completely in form of a salt, typically an alkali metal or ammonium salt. The aryl moiety of such arylsulfonic acids and arylsulfonic acid esters may optionally be substituted with one of more saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon groups, typically (C₄-C₁₆)alkyl or (C₄-C₁₆)alkenyl groups. Specific examples of suitable sulfonic acids and sulfonic acid esters include xylene sulfonic acid, phenyl sulfonic acid, methane sulfonic acid, calcium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, calcium octadecylphenyl sulfonate, sodium tridecyl benzene sulfonate, isopropylamine dodecyl benzene sulfonate, isopropylamine tridecyl benzene sulfonate, ammonium tridecylphenyl sulfonate, disodium alkyldiphenyloxide sulfonate, sodium alpha olefin sulfonate, and mixtures thereof.

Suitable alkylsulfosuccinic acid esters include mono- or di-esters of alkylsulfosuccinic acids which may be may be partially or completely in form of a salt, typically an alkali metal or ammonium salt, and which may optionally, be alkoxylated, typically with up to about 100 moles of (C₂-C₆)alkoxyl units per mole of alkylsulfosuccinic acid ester. Specific examples of suitable alkylsulfosuccinic acid esters include disodium monooctylsulfosuccinate, dioctylsulfosuccinate, sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate, disodium mono-alkylphenyl ether sulfosuccinate-disodium lauryl sulfosuccinate, disodium laureth sulfosuccinate, and mixtures thereof.

Suitable phosphate esters include mono- and di-alkyl, typically (C₈-C₃₀)alkyl, and aryl, typically (C₈-C₃₀)aryl, esters of phosphoric acid, may optionally be alkoxylated, typically with up to about 100 moles of (C₂-C₆)alkoxyl units per mole of phosphate ester, and may be partially or completely in form of a salt, typically an alkali metal or ammonium salt. The aryl moiety of such aryl phosphate esters may optionally be substituted with one of more saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon groups, typically (C₄-C₁₆)alkyl, (C₄-C₁₆)aryl, (C₄-C₁₆)aralkenyl, or (C₄-C₁₆)aralkenyl groups. Specific examples of suitable phosphate esters include ethoxylated (8) lauryl alcohol phosphate ester, ethoxylated (9) tridecyl alcohol phosphate ester, ethoxylated (15) dinonylphenol phosphate ester, ethoxylated (6) nonylphenol phosphate ester, ethoxylated (16) tristyrylphenol phosphate ester, and mixtures thereof.

Suitable sulfate esters include alkyl sulfates and aryl sulfates, which may optionally be alkoxylated, typically with up to about 40 moles of (C₂-C₆)alkoxyl units per mole of sulfate ester, and may be partially or completely in form of a salt, typically an alkali metal or ammonium salt. The aryl moiety of such aryl sulfates may be substituted by one or more saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon groups, typically (C₂-C₃₀)alkyl or (C₂-C₃₀)aryl groups. Suitable sulfate esters include, for example, sodium lauryl sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, sodium tridecyl sulfate, and mixtures thereof.

Suitable oleoyltaurate salts include, for example, methyl oleyltaurate sodium salt.

Suitable sorbitan fatty acid esters are mono-, di-, tri-, and quaternary fatty acid, typically saturated or unsaturated (C₆-C₂₂) fatty acid, esters of sorbitan, which may be alkoxylated with from about 2 to about 100 moles (C₂-C₆)alkoxyl units per mole of sorbitan ester. Specific examples of suitable sorbitan esters include sorbitan laurate, sorbitan dilaurate, sorbitan distearate, sorbitan dioleate, sorbitan trioleate, sorbitan tetraoleate, ethoxylated (20) sorbitan laurate, propoxylated (15) sorbitan distearate, and mixtures thereof.

Suitable aryl alkoxylates include phenols, which may be substituted by one or more (C₄-C₂₀)alkyl, typically (C₄-C₁₂)alkyl, or (C₄-C₂₀)aralkyl groups that are alkoxylated with up to about 100 moles (C₂-C₆)alkoxyl units per mole of aryl alkoxylate. Specific examples of suitable aryl alkoxylates include ethoxylated mono-, di- and tri-(phenylethyl) phenols, ethoxylated (20) nonylphenol, ethoxylated (15) octylphenol, and mixtures thereof.

Suitable alkoxylated fatty acids and alkoxylated fatty alcohols, typically (C₆-C₂₂) fatty acids and alkoxylated (C₆-C₂₂) fatty alcohols, are alkoxylated with up to about 60 moles (C₂-C₆)alkoxyl units per mole fatty acid or fatty alcohol. Specific examples of suitable (C₆-C₂₂) fatty alcohols or (C₆-C₂₂) fatty acids include ethoxylated (15) tridecyl alcohol, ethoxylated (7) lauryl alcohol, ethoxylated (20) oleyl alcohol, ethoxylated (15) stearyl alcohol, and mixtures thereof.

Suitable alkoxylated triglycerides include lard, tallow, peanut oil, butter oil, cottonseed oil, linseed oil, olive oil, palm oil, grapeseed oil, fish oil, soya oil, castor oil, rapeseed oil, coprah oil, coconut oil, each alkoxylated with up to about 60 moles (C₂-C₆)alkoxyl units per mole triglyceride. Specific examples of suitable alkoxylated triglycerides include ethoxylated (30) castor oil.

Suitable alkoxy copolymers include ethoxypropoxy copolymers, such as ethoxylated polyoxypropylene, ethoxylated/propoxylated alkylphenol block co-polymers, ethoxylated/propoxylated tristyryl phenol, and mixtures thereof.

Suitable alkylpolyglucosides, include, for example, (C₈-C₁₄)alkylpolyglucosides.

Suitable alkoxylated fatty amines are alkoxylated with up to about 80 moles (C₂-C₆)alkoxyl units per mole of amine and include, for example, ethoxylated (15) tallow amine, ethoxylated (30) oleyl amine, and mixtures thereof.

Suitable ether amines include isopropyloxypropyl amine, isohexyloxypropyl amine, dodecyloxypropyl amine, tetradecyloxypropyl amine, linear alkyloxypropyl amine, and mixtures thereof.

In one embodiment, the surfactant component of the adjuvant composition of the present invention comprises a mixture of one or more alkaryl sulfonates and one or more sorbitan fatty acid esters and/or alkoxylated sorbitan fatty acid esters.

In one embodiment, the surfactant component of the pesticide composition of the present invention comprises a mixture of one or more alkaryl sulfonates and one or more sorbitan fatty acid esters and/or alkoxylated sorbitan fatty acid esters.

Suitable pesticides are biologically active compounds used to control agricultural pests and include, for example, herbicides, plant growth regulators, crop dessicants, fungicides, bacteriocides, bacteriostats, insecticides, and insect repellants.

As used herein, the terminology “effective amount” in reference to the relative amount of a pesticide in a pesticide composition means the relative amount of pesticide that is effective to control a target pest, e.g., a target plant, fungus, bacterium, or insect, when the pesticide composition is applied at a given application rate.

In one embodiment, the pesticide is glyphosate herbicide and the pesticide composition is an herbicide composition that comprises a herbicidally effective amount of glyphosate.

As used herein, the terminology “an herbicidally effective amount” in reference to the relative amount of herbicide in an herbicidal composition means the relative amount that is effective to control growth of a target plant when the herbicidal composition is spray applied to the target plant at a given application rate.

In one embodiment, the pesticide composition comprises, based on 100 pbw of the composition, from about 5 pbw to about 85 pbw, more typically from about 30 to about 70 pbw glyphosate.

The adjuvant and pesticide compositions of the present invention may each optionally further comprise one or more fatty acids.

In one embodiment, the adjuvant composition of the present invention further comprises, based on 100 pbw of such composition, up to about 10 pbw, more typically from about 0.1 pbw to about 5 pbw, of one or more fatty acids.

In one embodiment, the pesticide composition of the present invention further comprises, based on 100 pbw of such composition, up to about 7 pbw, more typically from about 0.025 pbw to about 7 pbw, of one or more fatty acids.

The adjuvant and pesticide compositions of the present invention may each, optionally, further comprise one or more agronomically acceptable solvent. Suitable solvents include, for example, water, and organic solvents, such as for example, alkylated aromatic solvents, such as toluene or alkylated naphthalenes and mineral oil fractions, such as paraffinic hydrocarbons, and alcohols, such as ethanol, propanol, butanol, isobutanol, hexanol, 2-ethylhexanol, cyclohexanol, cyclohexanol, benzyl alcohol.

In one embodiment, the adjuvant composition of the present invention further comprises, based on 100 pbw of such composition, up to about 25 pbw an organic solvent.

In one embodiment, the pesticide composition of the present invention further comprises, based on 100 pbw of such composition, up to about 10 pbw an organic solvent.

In one embodiment, the pesticide composition of the present invention is an aqueous pesticide composition that further comprises water, typically, based on 100 pbw of such composition, up to about 75 pbw water.

In one embodiment, the pesticide composition of the present invention further comprises one or more water conditioners, such as for example, chelating agents, such as ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid, complexing agents such as ammonium sulfate, and pH adjusting agents, such as citric acid and polyacrylic acid.

In one embodiment, the pesticide composition of the present invention comprises, based on 100 pbw of such composition, from about 0.02 to about 0.3 pbw, more typically from about 0.03 to about 0.2 pbw, of one or more water conditioners, typically ammonium sulfate.

The pesticide composition of the present invention may, optionally, further comprise, based on 100 pbw of the composition, up to about 1.5 pbw of other ingredients, such as one or more additional surfactants, which may include cationic surfactants, such as ethoxylated tallow amines, amphoteric surfactants, such as betaines, additional anionic surfactants, such as phosphate esters, additional nonionic surfactants, and mixtures thereof, one or more alkylpolyglycosides, one or more thickeners, such as polysaccharide thickeners, and polyacrylamide thickeners.

In one embodiment, the adjuvant composition of the present invention contains no or substantially no silicone surfactant. Typically, the adjuvant composition of the present invention does not contain any silicone surfactant.

In one embodiment, the adjuvant composition of the present invention consists essentially of, based on 100 pbw of the composition:

-   -   (a) greater than about 50 pbw of at least one alkyl fatty acid         ester,     -   (b) from about 2 pbw to less than about 5 pbw of a surfactant         comprising:         -   (i) one or more anionic surfactants selected from sulfonic             acids, sulfonic acid esters, alkylsulfosuccinic acid esters,             phosphate esters, sulfate esters, and oleoyltaurate salts,             or         -   (ii) one or more non-ionic surfactants selected from             sorbitan fatty acid esters, aryl alkoxylates, alkoxylated             fatty alcohols, alkoxylated fatty acids, alkoxylated             triglycerides, ethoxypropoxy copolymers,             alkylpolyglucosides, alkoxylated fatty amines, and ether             amines, or         -   (iii) a mixture (b)(i) and (b)(ii), and     -   (c) optionally, a solvent,         and, in yet another embodiment, consists solely of such         ingredients.

In one embodiment, the pesticide composition of the present invention contains no or substantially no silicone surfactant. Typically, the pesticide composition of the present invention does not contain any silicone surfactant.

In one embodiment, the pesticide composition of the present invention consists essentially of, based on 100 parts pbw of the composition

-   -   (a) from about 0.02 pbw to about 7 pbw of at least one alkyl         fatty acid ester,     -   (b) from about 0.001 pbw to about 0.35 pbw of a surfactant         comprising:         -   (i) one or more anionic surfactants selected from sulfonic             acids, sulfonic acid esters, alkylsulfosuccinic acid esters,             phosphate esters, sulfate esters, and oleoyltaurate salts,             or         -   (ii) one or more non-ionic surfactants selected from             sorbitan fatty acid esters, aryl alkoxylates, alkoxylated             fatty alcohols, alkoxylated fatty acids, alkoxylated             triglycerides, ethoxypropoxy copolymers,             alkylpolyglucosides, alkoxylated fatty amines, and ether             amines, or         -   (iii) a mixture (b)(i) and (b)(ii), and     -   (c) an effective amount of pesticide,     -   (d) water,     -   (e) optionally, one or more water conditioners, and     -   (f) optionally, up to about 25 pbw of one or more organic         solvents,         and, in yet another embodiment, consists solely of such         ingredients.

In one embodiment the pesticide composition is sprayed through a TeeJet™ XR 11003 (Spraying Systems, Inc.) flat fan spray nozzle at a pressure of from about 10 psi to about 90 psi, more typically from about 20 psi to about 80 psi.

In one embodiment the pesticide composition is sprayed through an air induction spray nozzle at a pressure of from about 10 psi to about 90 psi, more typically from about 20 psi to about 80 psi.

In one embodiment, the pesticide composition is spray applied to a target plant at a rate of from about 5 to about 50 gallons per acre, more typically from about 10 to about 30 gallons per acre.

Example I

The composition of Example 1 was made by mixing, based on 100 pbw of the composition, 95.2 pbw of an alkyl fatty acid ester, 1.8 pbw of a fatty acid, 0.9 pbw of a 60% solution of an anionic surfactant in 2-ethylhexanol, and 2.1 pbw of a nonionic surfactant.

Examples 2 and Comparative Examples C1-C3

The compositions of Example 1 and Comparative Examples C1-C3 were made by mixing the ingredients in the relative amount in parts by volume (pbv) listed below in TABLE I.

TABLE I Ex. # Composition (pbv) 2 0.86 Roundup WeatherMax herbicide_(a) + 1.25 Alliance water conditioner_(b) + 1 adjuvant composition of Ex. 1 C1 0.86 Roundup WeatherMax herbicide_(a) C2 0.86 Roundup WeatherMax herbicide_(a) + 1.25 Alliance water conditioner_(b) + 1 crop oil concentrate C3 0.86 Roundup WeatherMax herbicide_(a) + 1.25 Alliance water conditioner_(b) + 1 methylated seed oil _(a)glyphosate herbicide composition available from Monsanto _(b)ammonium sulfate water conditioner available from Agriliance LLC

The compositions of Example 2 and Comparative Examples C1-C3 were each spray applied, using a XR 80015 (Spraying Systems, Inc.) nozzle at 33 psi, to target plants, Red Root Pigweed (“RRPW”), lamb's quarter (“LQTR”), and Foxtail, at a rate of 11 ounces of Roundup WeatherMax per acre and the efficacy of each of the compositions in controlling the respective target plants was evaluated. Results are set forth below in TABLE II, expressed a “% Control”, calculated as untreated weed−treated weed.

TABLE II % Control at 11 oz/acre Ex. # RRPW LQTR Foxtail 2 88 87.5 37.5 C1 60 65 20 C2 70 70 22.5 C3 72.5 80 35

Example 3-7 and Comparative Examples C4-C7

The compositions of Examples 3-7 and Comparative Examples C4-C6 were made by mixing the ingredients in the relative amount in parts by volume (pbv) listed below in TABLE III.

TABLE III Ex. # Composition (amount per 100 gallons) 3 22 oz Roundup WeatherMax herbicide_(a) + 5 qt Alliance water conditioner_(b) + 2 oz adjuvant composition of Ex. 1 4 22 oz Roundup WeatherMax herbicide_(a) + 5 qt Alliance water conditioner_(b) + 4 oz adjuvant composition of Ex. 1 5 22 oz Roundup WeatherMax herbicide_(a) + 5 qt Alliance water conditioner_(b) + 6 oz adjuvant composition of Ex. 1 6 22 oz Roundup WeatherMax herbicide_(a) + 5 qt Alliance water conditioner_(b) + 8 oz adjuvant composition of Ex. 1 7 22 oz Roundup WeatherMax herbicide_(a) + 5 qt Alliance water conditioner_(b) + 16 oz adjuvant composition of Ex. 1 C4 22 oz Roundup WeatherMax herbicide_(a) C5 22 oz Roundup WeatherMax herbicide_(a) + 5 qt Alliance water conditioner_(b) C5 22 oz Roundup WeatherMax herbicide_(a) + 5 qt Alliance water conditioner_(b) + 5.5 oz Placement_(c) C7 22 oz Roundup WeatherMax herbicide_(a) + 2 qt adjuvant composition of Ex. 1 _(a)glyphosate herbicide composition available from Monsanto _(b)ammonium sulfate water conditioner available from Agriliance LLC _(c)petroleum distillate available from Agriliance LLC.

A particle size analysis was conducted with Roundup WeatherMax in combination with several adjuvants, nozzles and pressures. Nozzles and pressures used were: AI11003 air induction nozzle (Spraying Systems Inc.) at 40, 60 and 80 psi, TT11003 Turbo TeeJet™ nozzle (Spraying Systems Inc.) at 20, 40, 60, and 80 psi, XR11003 Extended Range Flat Fan nozzle (Spraying Systems Inc.) at 20, 40 and 60 psi, and TF2 Turbo FloodJet nozzle (Spraying Systems Inc.) at 15, 27.5 and 40 psi. Concentration of the spray volume was 10 gallons per acre (“gpa”). Droplet characteristics recorded were: 220 to 305 μm (“Dv0.1”), 421 to 562 μm (“Dv0.5”), and 620 to 853 μm (“Dv0.9”) for spray nozzle pressures of 40, 60 and 80 psi. percent of volume less than 210 microns (“μm”), percent of the volume greater than 730 μm, and the range of the droplet size distribution, in μm. The unexpected aspect of this example is that the droplet size distribution is independent of the rate of the adjuvant used in the aqueous sprayable glyphosate composition.

Analysis was done using a Sympatec Helos KF laser particle analyzer, equipped with an R6 lens and capable of detecting particle sizes in a range from 0.5 to 1230 microns. Each treatment was replicated three times, and replications were run consecutively. The width of the nozzle plume was analyzed by moving the nozzle across the laser by means of a linear actuator. Results are set forth in TABLES below.

TABLE IV (Nozzle = Air Induction AI11003) Pressure Range Ex #. (psi) Dv0.1 Dv0.5 Dv0.9 <210 μm >730 μm (μm) C4 40 72 334 636 30.53 3.43 870 60 101 355 581 24.33 0.00 730 80 159 383 601 17.03 0.13 759 C5 40 69 360 675 30.52 5.10 923 60 128 378 601 20.28 0.58 814 80 162 385 612 16.77 1.44 848 C6 40 261 512 749 5.19 11.58 927 60 226 453 697 8.07 6.04 820 80 204 415 643 10.76 1.96 827 C7 40 77 326 585 30.50 0.23 776 60 86 331 565 29.22 0.00 730 80 119 356 576 22.86 0.00 721 3 40 297 562 846 3.42 22.50 970 60 252 480 739 5.83 9.88 950 80 224 432 655 8.15 2.57 825 4 40 296 545 793 3.47 16.39 920 60 253 476 714 5.73 7.98 873 80 223 428 650 8.29 2.68 827 5 40 303 558 830 3.16 20.40 970 60 253 473 711 5.78 7.57 873 80 220 421 623 8.64 0.68 515 6 40 305 560 853 3.10 21.76 1103 60 251 471 716 6.00 8.30 980 80 218 421 644 8.90 2.83 827 7 40 304 555 815 3.11 18.91 970 60 250 469 699 5.97 6.16 820 80 222 428 655 8.48 3.15 880

TABLE V (Nozzle = Turbo TeeJet TT11003) Pressure Range Ex. # (psi) Dv0.1 Dv0.5 Dv0.9 <210 μm >730 μm (μm) C4 20 196 423 686 11.80 5.60 934 40 134 329 594 24.83 2.37 844 60 108 284 546 33.43 0.87 848 80 95 255 506 39.57 0.00 712 C5 20 191 413 671 12.55 4.49 934 40 135 329 599 24.71 2.56 897 60 109 280 539 34.00 0.69 848 80 95 250 497 40.28 0.18 805 C6 20 221 449 712 8.62 7.63 940 40 139 303 511 26.15 0.08 746 60 110 246 451 38.63 0.00 708 80 94 213 406 49.08 0.00 592 C7 20 257 520 792 5.82 15.53 927 40 161 365 584 17.65 0.40 790 60 125 309 545 27.16 0.61 799 80 102 268 485 35.47 0.00 711 3 20 207 417 621 10.38 0.00 687 40 136 295 496 27.42 0.00 699 60 108 239 423 41.23 0.00 668 80 92 205 375 51.70 0.00 592 4 20 205 414 632 10.62 1.67 780 40 131 282 477 30.08 0.00 699 60 103 227 410 44.84 0.00 588 80 89 194 354 55.90 0.00 527 5 20 203 407 600 10.89 0.00 687 40 128 278 473 31.08 0.00 702 60 103 226 409 44.96 0.00 588 80 91 193 353 56.39 0.00 561 6 20 205 414 635 10.57 2.25 827 40 128 276 473 31.37 0.00 701 60 101 222 405 46.11 0.00 588 80 86 186 343 58.73 0.00 595 7 20 210 415 617 10.02 0.70 734 40 126 273 464 32.05 0.00 704 60 100 217 399 47.64 0.00 589 80 85 185 345 59.31 0.00 528

TABLE VI (Nozzle = Extended Range Flat Fan XR11003) Pressure Range Ex. # (psi) Dv0.1 Dv0.5 Dv0.9 <210 μm >730 μm (μm) C4 20 116 311 529 27.23 0.00 717 40 65 192 363 55.90 0.00 562 60 55 168 315 64.73 0.00 530 C5 20 116 296 509 29.29 0.00 675 40 65 188 361 57.05 0.00 595 60 56 165 316 65.99 0.00 497 C6 20 133 275 456 30.74 0.00 621 40 102 215 370 48.19 0.00 588 60 90 195 337 56.16 0.00 525 3 20 198 369 547 11.82 0.00 680 40 136 255 402 33.08 0.00 581 60 114 220 349 45.77 0.00 489 4 20 198 370 554 11.86 0.00 682 40 139 260 404 31.34 0.00 481 60 115 222 350 45.06 0.00 524 5 20 198 369 544 11.97 0.00 642 40 141 262 405 30.85 0.00 579 60 116 223 352 44.61 0.00 489 6 20 195 367 547 12.43 0.00 682 40 141 265 413 30.06 0.00 582 60 116 225 354 43.77 0.00 492 7 20 178 338 511 16.36 0.00 647 40 130 249 394 35.38 0.00 585 60 111 218 350 46.89 0.00 494

TABLE VII (Nozzle = Turbo FloodJet TF2) Pressure Range Ex. # (psi) Dv0.1 Dv0.5 Dv0.9 <210 μm >730 μm (μm) C4 15 228 506 759 8.10 12.97 822 27.5 164 454 809 15.97 16.27 999 40 136 413 759 20.73 11.83 1004 C5 15 231 524 792 8.00 17.06 929 e 27.5 167 463 826 15.43 17.63 1126 I 40 142 421 786 19.83 13.52 1069 C6 15 256 573 890 6.17 27.69 1058 27.5 176 424 722 14.74 8.83 987 40 145 360 646 21.61 4.04 890 3 15 228 521 818 8.20 18.85 980 27.5 171 409 685 15.77 5.61 934 40 140 345 607 23.28 2.50 839 4 15 218 505 823 9.09 17.99 980 27.5 165 396 678 16.91 5.57 934 40 135 332 594 24.97 2.21 839 5 15 216 493 790 9.37 14.97 980 27.5 168 398 679 16.41 5.53 880 40 132 323 585 26.35 1.87 892 6 15 215 491 777 9.40 13.93 980 27.5 162 389 672 17.65 5.15 993 40 129 314 586 27.82 2.33 844 7 15 227 514 820 8.22 18.33 980 27.5 161 387 655 17.79 3.71 833 40 132 328 596 25.95 2.31 921

Example 8 and Comparative Example C8

The aqueous composition of Example 8 contained, based on 5 gallons of the composition, 4 ounces Amistar™ fungicide (Syngenta), 4 ounces of the adjuvant composition of Example 1, 1 pint Preference™ nonionic surfactant (Agriliance LLC), and Spreader Sticker.

The aqueous composition of Comparative Example C8 was directly analogous to the composition of Example 8, except that it did not contain the adjuvant of Example 1.

Plots 1-8 each contained rows of potato plants. Strips of water sensitive paper (each 1 inch by 3 inches (Spraying Systems Inc.)) were placed at four locations in each plot at each of three different heights relative to the foliage canopy, that is, above the canopy, in the middle of the canopy, and below the canopy.

The composition Comparative Example C8 was applied to Plotsl-4 and the composition of Example 8 was applied to Plots 5-8, in each case by aerial spray from an Air tractor 502 air craft through CP Flat Fan Nozzles at a rate of 5 gallons per acre.

The amount of spray that reached the various locations within the foliage canopy of each of the Plots was determined by counting the number of droplet within each of 4 spots (1 cm² each) on each strip of water sensitive paper after each spray application. Results are given below in TABLE IX as (droplets/cm² paper).

TABLE IX four counts per water sensitive Plot Canopy Ex. # paper (water droplets/cm² paper) Ave. 1 A C8 11 13 14 11 12.25 2 A C8 12 6 2 6 6.50 3 A C8 29 20 26 23 24.50 4 A C8 25 16 24 28 23.25 1 B C8 7 8 8 10 8.25 2 B C8 14 6 10 6 9.00 3 B C8 13 18 11 12 13.50 4 B C8 8 10 11 3 8.00 1 M C8 5 18 12 8 10.75 2 M C8 9 5 3 3 5.00 3 M C8 22 19 5 3 12.25 4 M C8 20 21 15 24 20.00 5 A 8 26 18 16 21 20.25 6 A 8 22 17 15 25 19.75 7 A 8 19 19 21 31 22.50 8 A 8 25 30 32 23 27.50 5 B 8 19 15 8 9 12.75 6 B 8 10 14 22 21 16.75 7 B 8 19 15 14 8 14.00 8 B 8 21 33 25 28 26.75 5 M 8 14 11 14 11 12.50 6 M 8 13 8 17 10 12.00 7 M 8 17 36 35 21 27.25 8 M 8 34 37 48 30 37.25

The overall averages and standard deviations were determined for the results given in TABLE IX and are given in TABLE X below.

TABLE X Ex. # Canopy Average Std. Dev. C8 A 16.6 8.5 C8 B 9.7 3.6 C8 M 12.0 7.7 8 A 22.5 9.0 8 B 17.6 7.3 8 M 22.3 12.4 

The invention claimed is:
 1. An adjuvant-pesticide composition comprising: an adjuvant composition comprising, based on 100 parts by weight of the adjuvant composition: greater than about 95 parts by weight of an alkyl fatty acid ester; about 3 parts by weight of a surfactant comprising at least one nonionic surfactant; a fatty acid and a pesticide composition; wherein the adjuvant composition is provided at between about 2 and 16 ounces adjuvant composition per 100 gallons of the pesticide composition.
 2. The adjuvant-pesticide composition of claim 1, wherein the composition does not contain silicone surfactant.
 3. The adjuvant-pesticide composition of claim 1, wherein the adjuvant composition further comprises at least one additional oil.
 4. The adjuvant-pesticide composition of claim 1, wherein, as applied to a target plant at a pressure of 40, 60, or 80 pounds per square inch, a spray of the adjuvant pesticide composition having droplets smaller than about 210 um of between 12 percent and bout 47 percent of a total volume of sprayed droplets is achieved.
 5. The adjuvant-pesticide composition of claim 1, wherein the surfactant, based on 100 parts by weight of the adjuvant composition, comprises about 2 parts by weight of the nonionic surfactant.
 6. The adjuvant-pesticide composition of claim 1, wherein the adjuvant composition further comprises, based on 100 parts by weight of the adjuvant composition, from up to 25 parts by weight of an organic solvent.
 7. The adjuvant-pesticide composition of claim 1, wherein the pesticide is an herbicide.
 8. A method for treating a target plant with a pesticide, the method comprising: obtaining an adjuvant composition, the adjuvant composition comprising, based on 100 parts by weight:about 95 parts by weight of an alkyl fatty acid ester; about 3 parts by weight of a surfactant comprising at least one nonionic surfactant; and a fatty acid; combining the adjuvant composition with a pesticide; and spraying the combined adjuvant composition and pesticide onto the foliage of the target plant.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the combined adjuvant composition and pesticide is applied at a pressure sufficient to obtain a volume of pesticide droplets smaller than about 210 um of between 12 percent and about 47 percent of a total volume of sprayed droplets.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the combined adjuvant composition and pesticide si applied at a pressure of 40, 60, or 80 pounds per square inch.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the combined adjuvant composition and pesticide is applied using an extended range flat fan spray nozzle.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein the combined adjuvant composition and pesticide is applied at a rate of from about 5 gallons per acre to about 50 gallons per acre.
 13. The method of claim 8, wherein the surfactant comprises about 1 part by weight of a 60% solution of at least one anionic surfactant in 2-ethylhexanol, and about 2 parts by weight of at least one nonionic surfactant. 